Six Nations: France’s Dupont ‘a serious threat’ – Gibson-Park

Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park says that France captain Antoine Dupont can “do stuff that not many others are capable of” ahead of Thursday’s opening Six Nations game in Paris (20:10 GMT).

Scrum-half Dupont ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee last March during the Six Nations match against Ireland and was sidelined for eight months.

Despite not playing for Les Bleus since, the 29-year-old returned to club rugby for Toulouse in November and is set to play a key role in this Six Nations as France aim to defend their title.

“He [Dupont] is not the only one, France have some serious weapons across the whole team” Gibson-Park said.

“Quite a lot of prep goes into stopping him [Dupont]. We all know the threat he poses. We have seen a lot of stuff over the last number of years of him doing stuff that not many others are capable of.

“I have had some pretty good draws with him over the years, particularly at club level, he poses a serious threat for sure.”

Ireland’s preparation for the Six Nations has been hindered by setbacks with prop Jack Boyle and forward Tom Ahern both forced to withdraw through injury.

Centre Bundee Aki will miss the opening three games through suspension with Hugo Keenan’s availability for the Six Nations unclear after the full-back fractured his thumb during Ireland’s training camp in Portugal.

With those injury concerns, head coach Andy Farrell has named Thomas Clarkson and Jeremy Loughman as his props, while Cian Prendergast got the nod in the back row.

James Lowe has been dropped for Jacob Stockdale on the left wing, while Jamie Osborne starts in place of Keenan at full-back.

“There are no excuses now,” added Gibson-Park.

“You can’t afford to start slow, especially to France away and we have prepared well.

“There is no bigger challenge, is there?”